Quality of Materials offered in Upholstery. Looking to design your home? Editors' home shown in here

 What is upholstery exactly?

We first clarify the base concept a lot before we can dive deep into the upholstery sea. Upholstery is characterized as a soft padded textile covering that is attached to furniture such as sofas and armchairs, and it may also mean the practice of fitting chairs or sofas with padded coverings. It's often used as a synonym for cloth or to clarify the form of furniture covering. Some of the most common forms are here:

Types of Upholstery

1. Wool

 

Wool is another natural fiber which can be used for the purposes of upholstery. We're smitten with the cozy connotations of this warm and soft winner. Generally, to make it more useful and easier to clean, wool is mixed with a synthetic fiber. Wool's pros are that it's flexible, that it doesn't wrinkle, that it's resistant to soil, and that it doesn't fade. A bonus extra? It's also fires resistant and environmentally friendly, of course. Nevertheless, like fur, wool is more on the pricey side as well.

2. Leather

 

Leather is one of, and with good reason, the most well-known forms of upholstery. It is not only a natural fabric, but it is staining resistant, making it an outstanding long-term investment product. It is also easy to clean—a damp cloth or leather-specific cleaner is all you need. Plus, it's a decorative chameleon that in either a traditional decor scheme or a more modern place can comfortably be at home. In a home library or dark and cozy den, we love a classic leather armchair. 

4. Jute

 

Jute, originally used for rope and matting, is a natural fabric native to India and Bangladesh. Jute, sadly, is super susceptible to wrinkling, which is a definite drawback. It's pretty rough to the touch, too, and may not be so perfect for furniture covering.

3. Acetate

 

Acetate is a synthetic fiber that has been engineered to emulate the feel and look of silk. It is fast-drying and shrink-resistant, plus the fabric doesn't pill, which is when the fabric's fibers break up. We really love the glamorous sheen and luster that is created by this fabric. As for the acetate list of cons, it is not a very durable cloth, simple to wrinkle, and typically needs dry cleaning. For drapes or window coverings, it is especially pretty to use because it hangs and drapes well.

5. Velvet

 

For upholstery, Velvet is a luxurious woven alternative and has both natural and synthetic varieties. On the one side, unless the spill is handled right away and is very expensive, it is difficult to clean. It's soft to the touch, on the other hand, available in gorgeous rich color options, and beautifully reflects light. In your living room or library, Velvet renders extra comfortable accent chairs or a trendy and plush sofa. For an indulgent chair lounge in a master suite, we also love it.

6. Linen

 

Linen is a natural fiber made of flax based on plants that is typically blended with a synthetic alternative for added durability. Because it is cheap, naturally moth-resistant, and resists pilling and fading, it is a popular upholstery option. But linen comes with its downsides—it readily soils and wrinkles, is easy to shrink, does not stand up in humid climates, and a professional must clean it.

7. Chenille

 

Chenille, which is French for caterpillar, is a natural fabric that is super light. Since it is easily stretched, it needs support, so that is an extra cost. As dust and debris can be easily trapped between the fibers, it is also not ideal for pets. However, it is possible to clean it yourself, and it is a very durable choice of fabric. Chenille is best used for children's furniture or comfort items, such as an oversized recliner, since it is a casual fabric.

8. Cotton

 

The fabric of our lives is not called cotton for nothing it is one of the most common forms of upholstery. Cotton is immune to fading and wear-and-tear in particular. The fabric tints well, so there are many variations of colors to choose from. Also, cotton is perfect because it's durable but comfortable and breathable. In addition, to accommodate every budget, there are several different grades of cotton. For optimum quality, we suggest having a stain-resistant finishing spray.

9. Polyester

 

Polyester is a synthetic blend that is highly common for upholstery. It is famously gentle and quick to vacuum. It is also pilling, fading, and wrinkling immune, which is a perfect trifecta. Just be careful not to mix it with wool, as that would cause a problem with pilling. Another problem is that polyester or poly-blend light colors are prone to staining, so for this stuff, we suggest choosing darker colors.

10. Silk

 

Silk is a luxury natural fiber that is well known. Although it's costly, it can be a nice long-lasting piece of investment with proper use and care. In many distinct threads counts, colors and patterns, silk is available. Sadly, it is vulnerable to sun exposure, not very family-friendly, and certainly not suitable for animals.

11. Nylon

 

Nylon is another type of synthetic fiber and when combined with other fabrics, is best. It is highly durable, resistant to stains and super flexible. Plus, it's not wrinkling. However, it can fade and pill, which are obviously negative attributes; nylon is also prone to heat and sunlight, so do not use it for a sun room or porch. We love durable nylon because it's quick to clean and maintain for children's rooms or a play space.

12. Faux Leather

 

Faux leather, also referred to as "pleather," without the high price tag, has much of the aesthetic appeal of natural leather. In general, faux leather, an eco-friendlier alternative to vinyl, is usually made from polyurethane. It is also easy to clean and preserve fake leather, and is also stain resistant. It's great for pets and heavily trafficked areas, so we suggest for your living room or sun room a large couch made of this stuff.

13. Olefin

 

A synthetic fiber that is woolly in appearance is olefin. It's best known for being extremely durable, though it's not your home's most stylish choice. It can endure the heaviest everyday use is easy to clean, and is even wet-resistant. For a three-season porch or outdoor entertaining areas, we suggest olefin stuff.

There are so many types of upholstery to choose from, each with its own advantages, disadvantages, and uses.